New England Patriots training camp: 4 returning veterans in danger of getting cut

Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

3. Josh Boyce

Drafted out of TCU in the fourth round back in 2013, Boyce has yet to make a significant impact for the Patriots. The only real game action Boyce has seen came in his rookie year when he snagged nine passes for 121 yards and averaged 23.8 yards on nine kick returns.

In 2014, Boyce was active for only one game, and it was the meaningless Week 17 encounter with the Buffalo Bills. So he isn’t exactly riding a chariot of experience into Patriots training camp.

Saying it’s an uphill battle for Boyce to make the 53-man roster would be an understatement. Aaron Dobson are Brian Tyms are returning Patriots that have a leg-up on Boyce in training camp, and one could argue that free agent addition Brandon Gibson and undrafted rookie Chris Harper bring more to the passing game than Boyce.

Really, Boyce’s only path of entry onto the team is kick returning. According to Kevin Duffy of MassLive.com, Boyce got work on kick returns in yesterday’s practice along with Travaris Cadet and Danny Amendola. However, since Cadet and Amendola are better equipped to serve roles in the offense, the cards are stacked against Boyce as training camp continues.

Boyce spent all but one week on the practice squad last year. He’ll be lucky if he assumes that post again in 2015.

Next: 2. Tavon Wilson